Elements of a Story

What every story needs:

• Plot

• Theme

• Characters

• Setting

• Conflict

What is plot?

• Plot concerns the organization of the main events of a work of fiction.  Most plots will trace some process of change in which characters are caught up in a conflict that is eventually resolved. 

Plot Diagram

2

1

3

4

5

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

1. Exposition• This usually occurs at the beginning of a short

story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. This section also presents other facts necessary to understanding the story

Important Parts of the Exposition

• Setting– Time– Place

• Characters– Protagonist: The main

character; the hero– Antagonist: The

character who is in conflict with the protagonist in some way; the “bad guy”

• Static: Character stays the same

• Dynamic: Character changes in some way

Point of View

• 1st person – This is where the story is told through a main character's eyes.

The story is told using 1st person personal pronouns such as I,

me, we, or us.• 3rd person limited

– This is where the narrator is not a character in the story and talks about the characters. The narrator has a limited perspective and can only read one character's mind, feelings, and motive

• 3rd person omniscient– This is where the narrator is not a character in the story and is

"all-knowing" . This type of narrator can read every character's feelings, motives, and thoughts.

2. Rising Action• The rising action includes all the

events that lead to the climax. It also presents some type of conflict

Conflict• The struggle between two forces in the story. Conflict

provides interest, suspense, and tension. There are 4 types

-Character vs. Character

* two or more characters have a problem

-Character vs. Nature

* characters have to fight against a force of nature. Ex/ storm, disease

-Character vs. Society

*character fights against rules of society. Ex/ a character fights racism

-Character vs. Self

* The character is dealing with an internal struggle. Usually moral

ex/ Tom Sawyer doesn’t know if he should testify in court against Injun Joe

3. Climax• The “high point”. This is the turning point

of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action• All loose ends

of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution• The story

comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story

A Quick Quiz

1. A STATIC charactera. Remains the same at the end of the story

b. Changes by the end of the story

c. Is the main character

2. The main character of the story is:a. The antagonist

b. The protagonist

c. The exposition

3. The part of the story that ties up all the loose ends and takes care of the conflict

a. The climax

b. The falling action

c. The resolution

4. The setting is made up of:a. Protagonist and antagonist

b. Place and characters

c. Time and Place

d. Static and Dynamic

ANSWERS

1. A

2. B

3. B

4. C

Test your plot knowledge!

• The 3 Little Pigs– We will now watch a short version of the story

to refresh your memory. After you will need to answer questions about the plot, characters, and setting.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5hI9U19-m0

Check It

Event #2

Pig #1 builds a house of straw, Pig #2 builds a house of sticks, and Pig # 3 builds a house of bricks.

Event #2

Pig #1 builds a house of straw, Pig #2 builds a house of sticks, and Pig # 3 builds a house of bricks.

Event #3

Big Bad Wolf blows the straw house down and pig #1 escapes to Pig #2’s house.

Event #3

Big Bad Wolf blows the straw house down and pig #1 escapes to Pig #2’s house.

Event #1

The pigs come across a beautiful clearing they think will be a perfect spot to build their homes.

Event #1

The pigs come across a beautiful clearing they think will be a perfect spot to build their homes.

Event #4

Big Bad Wolf blows the stick house down and Pig #1 and #2 escape to Pig # 3’s house.

Event #4

Big Bad Wolf blows the stick house down and Pig #1 and #2 escape to Pig # 3’s house.

Event #5

The Big Bad Wolf tires several times, but he can’t blow down brick house.

Event #5

The Big Bad Wolf tires several times, but he can’t blow down brick house.

CLIMAX: Wolf decides to sneak down the chimney to get the pigs.

CLIMAX: Wolf decides to sneak down the chimney to get the pigs.

Wolf falls into boiling pot of soup.

Wolf falls into boiling pot of soup.

RESOLUTION: The Big Bad Wolf is so scared of the 3 Pigs that he runs off in the woods never to be seen again. The 3 little pigs live happily ever after.

RESOLUTION: The Big Bad Wolf is so scared of the 3 Pigs that he runs off in the woods never to be seen again. The 3 little pigs live happily ever after.

EXPOSITION: Three little pigs leave home to find adventure in the big world.

EXPOSITION: Three little pigs leave home to find adventure in the big world.

• What is the setting?– The beautiful clearing where the 3 Little Pigs build their homes– Time: Not exactly known. The time their mother thought it was

appropriate they leave the home

• Who is the Protagonist?– Pig # 3

• Who is the Antagonist?– The Big Bad Wolf

• What is the point of view?– 3rd person omniscient

• What is the type of conflict?– Character vs. Character